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JUNE – AUGUST 2020 • MCI (P) 052/10/2019
The 3As of
Palliative Care:
Availability
Accessibility
Affordability
PLUS:
Technology-enabled
continual therapy
Launch of new
Inpatient Hospice
Palliative Care Service
1
THE HOSPICE LINK • JUNE – AUGUST 2020
CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S NOTE
Members’ Contacts Contents ost people would agree that “You Only threatening illnesses. Many perceived that this is
Assisi Hospice
832 Thomson Road, S(574627)
T: 6832 2650 F: 6253 5312
St Luke’s Hospital
2 Bukit Batok Street 11, S(659674)
T: 6563 2281 F: 6561 8205
M Live Once” (YOLO) is simply the most
commonly used expression urging one
to make the most out of the present
something that could wait and be thought about
only when crisis happens.
On the contrary, palliative care is most
www.assisihospice.org.sg www.slh.org.sg moment without worrying about the future. effective when there is sufficient time to discuss
assisi@assisihospice.org.sg referral@stluke.org.sg Indeed, life is short and at times, the most and understand your and your loved ones’ care
precious things can easily become lost too. preferences, financial ability, values, beliefs
Buddhist Compassion Relief Tsao Foundation Ever so often, external factors can cause that loss and care goals. The 3As that one can rely
Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore) 298 Tiong Bahru Road or perhaps we could have caused ourselves to on to prioritise in order to achieve holistic
9 Elias Road, S(519937) Central Plaza, #15-01/06,
lose things or people we value because healthcare plans are — Availability, Accessibility
10
T: 6582 9958 F: 6582 9952 S(168730)
www.tzuchi.org.sg/en T: 6593 9500 F:6593 9505 we procrastinated. and Affordability.
tsaofoundation.org Truly, the space of palliative care is still very This can serve as an overview as to what is
Dover Park Hospice info@tsaofoundation.org unspoken about even though it provides comfort to currently offered to help you in improving
10 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, S(308436) people of all ages with serious, chronic, and life- your life.
T: 6500 7272 F: 6258 9007 Changi General Hospital
www.doverpark.org.sg 2 Simei Street 3, S(529889)
info@doverpark.org.sg T: 6788 8833 F: 6788 0933 2 Members’ Contacts
www.cgh.com.sg
HCA Hospice Care AVAILABILITY ACCESSIBILITY AFFORDABILITY
705 Serangoon Road, Block A #03-01 Khoo Teck Puat Hospital 3 Chief Executive’s Note
@Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital, S(328127) 90 Yishun Central, S(768828)
T: 6251 2561 F: 6291 1076 T: 6555 8000 F: 6602 3700 What is my preferred Am I eligble to use palliative What financial situation do
www.hca.org.sg www.ktph.com.sg
4 Technology-enabled I need to be in to have my
continual therapy care mode? care services?
contactus@hcahospicecare.org.sg preferred palliatve care?
KK Women’s and
Metta Hospice Care Children’s Hospital
32 Simei Street 1, 100 Bukit Timah Road, S(229899)
6 Doing more together DO YOU KNOW? DO YOU KNOW? DO YOU KNOW?
Metta Building, S(529950) T: 6225 5554 F: 6293 7933
T: 6580 4695 F: 6787 7542 www.kkh.com.sg 8 Accessing palliative care • Home Palliative Care • Patients of all ages, from • Costs can be kept affordable
www.metta.org.sg • Day Palliative Care babies to the elderly, can through various subsidies and
hhospice@metta.org.sg Ng Teng Fong General Hospital • Inpatient Palliative Care benefit from palliative care financial schemes
1 Jurong East Street 21, S(609606) 10 What does it take to • Pallative care services are
MWS Home Care & Home Hospice • Consultative services • Government subsidy is available
T: 6716 2000 F: 6716 5500 have a ‘good death’? available to those with life- through means-testing
2 Kallang Avenue, www.ntfgh.com.sg
CT Hub #08-14, S(339407) enquiries@juronghealth.com.sg threatening illnesses such as • Other financial schemes
T: 6435 0270 F: 6435 0274 13 The essence of care is advanced cancer, chronic (e.g MediSave) are available
www.mws.sg/centre-location/mws- National Cancer always affordable illnesses including end-stage
home-care-home-hospice Centre Singapore kidney, heart, lung and
MWShh@mws.sg 11 Hospital Drive, S(169610)
17 SHC@Queenstown neurological failure
T: 6436 8000 F: 6225 6283
Singapore Cancer Society www.nccs.com.sg Public Library,
15 Enggor Street, #04-01,
Realty Centre, S(079716) Singapore Hospice
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
T: 1800 727 3333 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, S(308433) Council Turns 25!
www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg T: 6256 6011 Indeed, the quality of life is highly subjective
hospice@singaporecancersociety.org.sg www.ttsh.com.sg from one to another. Therefore, wait no more to
18 Palliative care services
talk, plan and act.
SingHealth Community Hospitals Woodlands Health Campus in Singapore You should define your own palliative care
(Bright Vision Hospital, 9 Maxwell Road,
Outram Community Hospital,
Sengkang Community Hospital)
MND Complex Annex A,
#03-01A, S(069112)
19 New Inpatient Palliative
needs that aim to relieve your suffering, improve
your quality of life and that of your family as the The 3As that one can
10 Hospital Boulevard, S(547530) T: 6681 5999 Care Service system offers the care for the “whole person”.
T: 6970 3000
www.singhealth.com.sg/SCH
www.whc.sg Former US President Barack Obama once said:
“Change will not come if we wait for some
rely on to prioritise in
20 Announcements
St Andrew’s Community Hospital
8 Simei Street 3, S(529895)
Lien Centre for Palliative Care
Duke-NUS
other person or some other time.
We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.
order to achieve holistic
Medical School Singapore We are the change that we seek.”
T: 6586 1000
www.sach.org.sg
general@sach.org.sg
8 College Road
Level 4, S(169857)
Let’s wait no more — your decision will make
the difference.
healthcare plans are —
T: 6601 2034 / 6601 7424 [Education]
St Joseph’s Home
36 Jurong West St 24, S(648141)
T: 6601 5113 [Research]
www.duke-nus.edu.sg/lcpc Ms Evelyn Leong
Availability, Accessibility
Chief Executive
T: 6268 0482 F: 6268 4787
www.stjh.org.sg Singapore Hospice Council and Affordability.
general@stjh.org.sg
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THE HOSPICE LINK • JUNE – AUGUST 2020 THE HOSPICE LINK • JUNE – AUGUST 2020
AVAILABILITY
Physically present with patients are The hospital has used technology
their assigned occupational therapists. for speech therapy since 2016, with
Music therapist Isabel Tan says of these telemeeting software to help patients who
colleagues, “They are our eyes, ears, hands are home-bound. “Such patients can still
and legs. They are critical to ensure the receive therapy while saving time, effort
effectiveness of the programme as they are and money on travelling to the hospital
on-site to attend to patients.” and back home. By reducing barriers of
Occupational therapist, Batrishya Binte time and space, the desired frequency
Dol Rani, is glad that music and art therapy of therapy can continue and patients
could continue, “It is worth the effort when may improve their ability to swallow,
we see our patients enjoy the activities.” eat and speak, for example, after stroke,”
St Luke’s Hospital cares for the whole said Kenneth Lam, Deputy Director of
person, as patients have more than just Rehabilitation Services.
physical needs. They also have social and Kenneth added, “Being evidence-based
emotional needs. For example, serious in our approach, we will review the
Making music — a
patient with music illness may lower a patient’s spirit, which effectiveness of the medium in music and
therapist Isabel Tan. art therapy to see if it can be a long term
in turn will affect appetite, sleep, and
Opposite page: An
occupational therapist willingness to partake of medication and alternative to help more patients who
and a physiotherapist have ambulatory constraints, even when
therapy. Art and music therapy can help lift
are physically present
with patients to their mood and hence facilitate recovery or we are back to DORSCON Green and
facilitate music therapy, distancing is no longer a requirement.”
improve quality of life.
attending to patients’
needs at their bedside
Technology- “S
afety first,” said Ms Kang
who wished only to be
known by her surname.
enabled Her mother, 81, was
taking part in art and music therapy
using remote technology for some
continual ‘engagement’ and ‘motivation’.
As physical distancing helps reduce
the risk of COVID-19 infection,
therapy
St Luke’s Hospital staff work
in different zones. The use of
teleconferencing technology has
helped the art and music therapists to
In times of necessity and for the health be with patients virtually. Patients can
see and hear their therapists, and vice
and safety of patients, sometimes it is best versa. The music therapist can still
for caregivers to be physically distant, sing along with patients, motivating
them to respond and follow, and the
but this does not mean they will not be art therapist can still demonstrate and
emotionally present for them. guide patients in art.
WORDS AND PHOTOS ST LUKE’S HOSPITAL
St Luke’s Hospital cares for the whole person, as
patients have more than just physical needs. Art and
music therapy can help lift their mood and hence
facilitate recovery or improve quality of life.
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THE HOSPICE LINK • JUNE – AUGUST 2020 THE HOSPICE LINK • JUNE – AUGUST 2020
AVAILABILITY
Doing more together “For patients like Mr Low who travel back
and forth for appointments every day,
ambulance fees are a major concern,” said
Opposite page:
Dr Sumayyah (second
from left) with her
team at SKCH
Palliative care offers various aspects of care, especially for elderly Dr Sumayyah.
To ease Mr Low’s financial burden, the care
patients, by relieving symptoms, pain and stress of serious illnesses team worked together to find alternatives. TEAMWORK IN PALLIATIVE CARE
to improve their quality of life. Members of the care team from Together with the rehab team, they began The needs of patients suffering from life-
to provide caregiver training to Mr Low’s son. threatening illnesses vary and it is rarely
Sengkang Community Hospital look at what defines palliative care. Within three days, they equipped him with skills possible for just one professional to
on how to transfer Mr Low by vehicle so that provide adequate care. A support team
he can accompany his father for appointments is required in order to help patients like
instead of engaging an ambulance service. Mr Low.
While that was going on, the Medical Social “The team often goes beyond the call
Service (MSS) team assisted Mr Low in fulfilling of duty by offering assistance to patients
his wish of spending his remaining days with his as some of them might be reluctant to
wife. Knowing that it is very important to him, ask for help,” explained Dr Sumayyah.
the team worked closely with Mr Low to identify Family members are also part of the
possible solutions to make his wish come true. care team. They have a role in caring for
In the end, the Medical Social Worker helped the patients, direct their plan of care and
his family with relevant information to apply for take part in any decision making.
a domestic helper to aid his family members in It really takes great effort from
caring for him when he returned home. everyone to achieve a common goal.
Thanks to the team’s commendable effort, Palliative patients can benefit as there is
Mr Low’s needs were addressed promptly and he cooperation and understanding among
was able to return home after the helper arrived. the team members.
“We were filled with joy and satisfaction The quote by the late deaf-blind
because we were able to provide appropriate American author is so apt here: “Alone,
care to Mr Low and fulfil his wish!” said we can do so little; together we can do
Dr Summayah. so much!”
“
The team often
goes beyond their
WORDS AND STAFF PHOTO SENGKANG COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
ife is a gift and every single moment everyone’s mood. He cultivated this liveliness
L should be cherished. Happiness can within the hospital and maintained it till the
call of duty by
OPPOSITE PAGE PHOTO SABINE VAN ERP/PIXABAY
come in many forms — even as far day he was discharged to spend the rest of his
as giving joy to others. days at home.
For Mr Low (not his real name), his life was full offering assistance
of positivity. The Sengkang Community Hospital FULFILLING A LAST WISH
(SKCH) palliative patient remained cheerful
despite suffering from metastatic prostate cancer.
Mr Low would keep himself active without
fail. He derived joy from reading newspapers,
to patients as some
“He would greet everyone with a broad and watching television and socialising with
uplifting smile. It always made my day,” said other patients, or by simply appreciating the of them might be
Dr Sumayyah Omar Bin Talib, a Resident greenery at the Hospital’s garden.
Physician treating Mr Low from the SKCH Post-
Acute and Continuing Care (PACC) team.
In between all of these activities, Mr Low
participated in therapy sessions and
reluctant to ask
Dr Sumayyah revealed that Mr Low’s smile attended his specialist appointments at
was contagious too, spreading to help elevate the acute hospital. for help.”
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THE HOSPICE LINK • JUNE – AUGUST 2020 THE HOSPICE LINK • JUNE – AUGUST 2020
ACCESSIBILITY
Accessing Step 2: Get a doctor’s referral
palliative care Admission to Assisi Hospice’s Inpatient, Home Care and
Day Care services is by doctor’s referral. The patient’s
doctor (either a general practitioner or one from a
hospital) will need to complete a referral form available
Assisi Hospice offers a four-step guide to finding the most on Assisi Hospice’s website
(https://www.assisihospice.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/
suitable type of palliative care for your loved ones. SHC-Common-Referral-Form_20-Jan-2020.pdf)
Step 1: Choose a suitable service
Step 3: Wait for Assisi Hospice’s update
Assisi Hospice provides care for patients across the spectrum of Inpatient, Home Care and Day
Care palliative care services. This allows patients and family members to journey with a clinical Upon receipt of the referral form, our doctor will
team they are familiar with, and to receive the care they need. assess the patient’s suitability for palliative care
and will contact the referring hospital or doctor on
Our Inpatient Care is for patients of all admission arrangements, such as bed availability,
ages who need specialist palliative care date of first assessment visit, and so on.
in an inpatient environment. The cost of
inpatient stay will depend on the level of
government subsidy based on a means
test. This government subsidy, together
with MediShield Life and a subsidy from
Assisi Hospice will help lower the cost to
patients. Prospective patients and their
Step 4: Arrange for transfer of patient
families can speak with the Medical Social
Workers regarding any concerns about the
(for Inpatient service)
cost of stay.
Our Home Care service is for patients who The ambulance transfer will be arranged by the
prefer to be cared for at home, if their referring hospital or doctor. A family member will
condition allows. Regular home visits by need to accompany the patient during the transfer
our care team support families in caring and facilitate his or her admission process.
for patients by helping them manage
the symptoms of advanced illnesses and
provide psychosocial and other practical
support. Our Home Care service is offered
free to all patients, regardless of location
in Singapore.
Our Day Care service provides a warm
and interactive environment for patients
who require care during the day. It is
made accessible by ferrying patients to
WORDS AND IMAGES ASSISI HOSPICE
and from their homes. Our Day Care fee The patient will be cared for by
is a nominal $10 per day and it covers our team of specialist doctors,
two-way transport, meals, medical nurses, allied health and pastoral
consultations, nursing attendance, care professionals. When faced
psychosocial support, occupational with life-limiting illnesses, our
therapy, physiotherapy, as well as all patients receive medical care, as
therapeutic and recreational activities, well as psychosocial, emotional
including outings. and spiritual care.
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THE HOSPICE LINK • JUNE – AUGUST 2020 THE HOSPICE LINK • JUNE – AUGUST 2020
ACCESSIBILITY
PALLIATIVE CARE IS NOT LIMITED TO A
HOSPICE AND IS APPROPRIATE AT ANY
STAGE OF A SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION
Contrary to popular belief, a hospice is not
just a medical facility for patients to receive
care at the final stage of their lives. The term
“hospice” actually refers to a concept of care
that focuses on improving the quality of life
for terminally-ill patients and their loved ones.
This care can be delivered at home or in long-
term care facilities such as nursing homes, or
inpatient hospices.
Palliative care is appropriate at any stage of
a serious medical condition. A patient can still
receive curative treatment while undergoing
palliative care. The aim of palliative care is to
provide a better quality of life for patients by
helping them with their physical, psychological
Dr Andy Lee (first and spiritual needs. In fact, starting palliative
row, third from care as early as possible after diagnosis has
left), Head of
MWS Home Care proven to be beneficial to patients in offering a
& Home Hospice higher quality of life.
with his teams
The MWS Home Care & Home Hospice
team provides a suite of home-based care for
patients so they may continue to live in the
What does it take
comfort of their own homes. Beyond providing
care, we also coordinate care services and
A patient can still receive financial options in the community and
with hospitals for our patients. Our services
to have a ‘good death’? curative treatment while
undergoing palliative
accept referrals from hospitals, private
general practitioner clinics or other home
care agencies through the online Agency for
Integrated Care portal, through email or fax.
Head of MWS Home Care & Home Hospice Dr Andy Lee addresses common
care. The aim of palliative
WORDS AND PHOTOS METHODIST WELFARE SERVICES
FOR HOME-BOUND PATIENTS, PALLIATIVE
concerns about the accessibility of palliative care. HOME CARE CAN BE BENEFICIAL
Although there are limitations to the
care is to provide a better diagnostic tests that can be done at home,
or many Singaporeans, death It is important to explore the underlying palliative home care is still beneficial for
F is viewed as a taboo subject,
and family members worry
ideas and previous experiences that may
have given shape to their current concerns.
quality of life for patients patients, especially those who are home-bound
and are unable to travel to the hospital for
that raising the topic will affect There may be deep-seated beliefs that have their regular follow-ups. With good clinicians
the patient’s will to live. They also have the been built up over many years based on what by helping them with their tending to patients, diagnosis and medication
impression that end-of-life care is unaffordable they have seen or heard from trusted friends can still be administered effectively. This also
and difficult to access, causing them to think
about it too late. Conversations about palliative
or family members. In this article, we look at
some of the concerns expressed by patients
physical, psychological supports those with advanced diseases who
need palliative care to manage pain, and fulfil
care for the terminally ill tend to remain off- and their caregivers, and how palliative care their wish to spend their final days at home.
limits until they are absolutely necessary. can be made accessible to them. and spiritual needs. At MWS Home Hospice, our teams of doctors,
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ACCESSIBILITY AFFORDABILITY
The essence of care is
always affordable
St. Joseph’s Home holds true that care can remain
affordable with creativity, conversation and
compassion applied to the mix.
ina was in tears, “My mother comfort during the remaining days of
G was very poor. She couldn’t
afford to send me to school.
She didn’t have enough money
someone’s life. The comfort of a tender
companion and respect for human dignity
is always affordable.
for food. She loves me so much. Now, she’s
gone.” Gina choked on her own tears. Gina A MEASURE OF CREATIVITY
is one of our Residents. She has advanced The COVID-19 situation has pushed our
dementia and today, she was missing her creative limits and challenged what we
mother more than usual. Sitting beside her, thought was impossible. Before the circuit
I had the privilege of sharing in her life as breaker started, volunteers hosted a slew
a daughter. of art, music and dance programmes at
Her heartache of growing up in a poor the Home. Now, with a webcam and a
family brought to mind some questions: portable TV, our volunteers zoom into our
What determines whether something is Residents’ clusters to host spontaneous
available to you? Is it your pay check or virtual activities. While the warmth of
Residents of
how luxurious the place looks? touch is not easily replaceable, technology St Joseph’s
nurses and medical social workers daily activities such as bathing, moving An MWS Home In essence, the heart of hospice care is to can help to bridge the physical distance Home enjoy a
Care & Home performance by
make regular home visits and provide around, dressing, transferring, toileting Hospice patient provide physical, emotional and spiritual between us and nurture our relationships. band Jamspiration
round-the-clock support. If a problem and eating. receives holistic
care in the comfort
crops up in the middle of the night Grief and bereavement are also of his own home
or at weekends, the patient and their important aspects of palliative care.
caregivers are assured that help is only When patients pass away, it is essential
a phone call away and that a doctor will to support their families with a team that
visit the patient if necessary. is able to assess their psychosocial and
This support from home care doctors spiritual needs. Through bereavement
and nurses helps to allay a lot of follow-ups and counselling, they can help
anxieties of home-bound patients, family members to cope with grief and
especially if they are no longer able to receive closure.
visit the hospital for their usual follow-
ups. Many of our patients actually look
forward to the visits even when they
are well because of the companionship
and camaraderie.
Our team uses a person-
HOLISTIC PALLIATIVE CARE ALSO
SUPPORTS CAREGIVERS, EVEN AFTER centred approach which
THE PATIENT PASSES AWAY
Holistic palliative care takes into
consideration the patient and caregiver’s
entails engagement with
needs. Our team uses a person-centred
approach which entails engagement each patient and the
with each patient and the family to
understand their total needs. These may
include medical care, nursing care, home
family to understand
personal care, as well as housekeeping,
errand-running and assistance with their total needs.
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THE HOSPICE LINK • JUNE – AUGUST 2020 THE HOSPICE LINK • JUNE – AUGUST 2020
AFFORDABILITY
To care for Residents as persons, not patients,
we need to start with having real conversations
with them, and getting to know them.
To care for Residents as persons, not Before the circuit breaker started, Youth volunteers who
could no longer visit
patients, we need to start with having youth volunteers visit the Home to send photos and write
real conversations with them, and befriend our Residents. To continue letters to keep in touch
with St. Joseph Home
getting to know them. these relationships and create new Residents. Opposite
Our pastoral team tends to our ones, our Residents and youths page: St Joseph’s Home
Residents enjoying a
Residents from their first day at exchange postcards and digital virtual live performance
our Home. The team welcomes hellos instead. by band Volunteer
Guitar Connection
Residents at the front door, befriends Our staff are honoured to share in
them during their stay here and the stories of our Residents and to
accompanies them when they take cultivate hope and resilience with
their last breath. them. In difficult times as these,
Aside from our staff team, our supporting one another becomes
volunteers have different but valuable more important than ever. For
roles in Residents’ lives. Volunteers caregivers and volunteers who are
provide a listening ear to Residents, now homebound, a care that inspires
not only to share their burdens, but hope can continue to be available and
also to share in their years of lived affordable with creativity, conversation
experiences and wisdom. and the heart of care.
One example is the live bands that Every morning, Mr Tee reads The Straits
perform during our weekly coffee corner Times, not only to catch up on the news,
sessions. In the past, live bands would hook but also to learn English. Last year, Mr
up their portable sound systems to busk Tee attended volunteer-run computer
WORDS AND PHOTOS SHEREEN NG, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, ST JOSEPH’S HOME
for Residents. Residents can make song lessons and learnt how to get on
requests, sing and clap along, while YouTube and Google Translate to learn
enjoying the company of other Residents conversational English.
and volunteers. Mr Tee now spends more of his time in his
Today, our live band sessions look slightly living area, where there are neither computer
different. With Zoom, Residents can make units nor volunteer teachers around. To
song requests live like before. The playful encourage continual learning, staff at
banter between the musician-host and that cluster have made notebooks and
Residents adds vibrance and laughter to newspapers available to him. He would then
the Home. More importantly, the volunteers diligently jot down the English phrases that
who are zooming into the Home also bring he picks up from the newspaper and enlist
a semblance of community life when they the staff around to help with translation.
RESIDENTS’ NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED
share nuggets about what is happening in
their own households. A MATTER OF CONVERSATION
For Residents who move into our Home,
A MODE OF CARE they need to bid goodbye to parts of their
One of our staff members once commented, lives that they might have grown familiar
“It is not the outcome that matters. It is with. A new environment can bring
whether Residents are proud of themselves elevated anxiety. When we are anxious, we
after the activity.” As much as possible, our either fight the feeling with ‘uncooperative
staff arrange the physical space and materials behaviour’ or flee from it by insisting on
so that Residents are empowered to engage. returning to the old life.
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THE HOSPICE LINK • JUNE – AUGUST 2020 THE HOSPICE LINK • JUNE – AUGUST 2020
HAPPENINGS
SHC @ Queenstown
Public Library
Explore and learn more about palliative care and
end-of-life matters through stories, digital resources,
a photo-documentary and more at the exhibition!
Venue: Queenstown Public Library, Level 1,
53 Margaret Dr, Singapore 149297
Date: Sunday, 16 Aug – Monday, 31 Aug 2020
*In view of the COVID-19 situation, please check our
website www.singaporehospice.org.sg for updates.
his year marks the 25th anniversary of the
founding of the Singapore Hospice Council.
It is therefore timely, that the 7th Singapore
Palliative Care Conference (SPCC 2020) held
from
8 to 11 July 2020 at the Sands Expo &
Convention Centre invites everyone to
embrace our rich history and discover for
ourselves the core values of compassion,
strength and resilience that lie deep within
our roots. It is pertinent that we reach
out beyond our traditional boundaries
to engage professionals outside the
fraternity, as well as community services
and industrial partners in relevant fields.
It is only through bridging the divide
amongst specialities, services and interest
groups that we may extend holistic and
comprehensive care to patients and their
families. As we celebrate who we are
and what we have achieved together, we
16 continue to reach out with open hearts and 17
THE HOSPICE LINK • JUNE – AUGUST 2020 THE HOSPICE LINK • JUNE – AUGUST 2020
SHC MEMBER SERVICES ANNOUNCEMENTS
Palliative Care New Inpatient
Services in Singapore Palliative Care Service
On 1 April 2020, the Ministry of Health (MOH) launched the Inpatient Hospice Palliative Care Service (IHPCS)
to provide patient-centric and seamless care to patients receiving inpatient palliative care. This new service is
HOME PALLIATIVE CARE INPATIENT PALLIATIVE CARE in line with MOH’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality, accessibility and affordability of palliative care.
• Assisi Hospice • Assisi Hospice
• Buddhist Compassion Relief • Bright Vision Hospital
Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) • Dover Park Hospice AVAILABILITY: ACCESSIBILITY:
• St Andrew’s Community Hospital MEETING PATIENTS’ ADMISSION AND REFERRALS
• Dover Park Hospice
PALLIATIVE NEEDS Patients can be admitted to IHPCS
• HCA Hospice Care • St Joseph’s Home
With the IHPCS, a common service from acute hospitals and direct
• Metta Hospice Care • St Luke’s Hospital framework will be introduced to referrals from the community,
• MWS Home Care & Home Hospice • Yishun Community Hospital ensure that all service providers are able to such as from General Practitioners and Home
• Singapore Cancer Society provide a standard scope of services to meet the Palliative Care providers. The expansion
• Tsao Foundation (Hua Mei needs of palliative patients in two tiers.1 of referral pathways will improve the
1. General palliative care is for patients with accessibility of inpatient palliative care for
Mobile Clinic)
CONSULTATIVE SERVICES palliative care needs that require inpatient patients who require it and facilitate the right-
management. Examples include relieving siting of patients.
symptoms such as pain and breathlessness
• Changi General Hospital
through oral and subcutaneous medication,
• Khoo Teck Puat Hospital as well as socioemotional support for patients
DAY PALLIATIVE CARE
• KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and caregivers during this difficult time in
• Ng Teng Fong General Hospital their lives.
AFFORDABILITY:
• Assisi Hospice
• National Cancer Centre Singapore 2. Specialised palliative care is for patients
• Dover Park Hospice EXTENSION OF SUBSIDIES
• National University Hospital with complex needs that require higher levels
Singapore residents admitted
• HCA Hospice Care of care (compared with general palliative
• Tan Tock Seng Hospital into IHPCS are eligible for means-
care). Examples include the administration of
tested government subsidies of
intravenous medication and specialised wound
up to 75%. To better support patients who
care for complex wounds.
require inpatient palliative care, MediShield
Life coverage will be extended to all IHPCS
Patients will be assigned to the appropriate
patients, and MediSave withdrawal limits will
tier based on their goals of care and needs. Each
be increased for patients with more complex
patient’s assigned tier will be regularly reviewed
needs. Singaporeans who cannot afford their
WORDS EXTRACTED FROM MOH’S PRESS RELEASE ON 31 MARCH 2020
and updated by doctors as needed.
bills after subsidies, MediShield Life and
The framework will also allow patients with
MediSave, may apply for MediFund.
WORDS SINGAPORE HOSPICE COUNCIL PHOTO ASSISI HOSPICE
fluctuating care needs due to changes in their
health condition to be cared for in the same MediShield Life limits
location. This promotes continuity of care and General palliative care $250/day
minimises the need for transfers to different Specialised palliative care $350/day
care facilities. As all providers will be required
to provide a standard scope of services,
patients also have the option of a wider range MediSave limits
For referrals to service
of providers and can be more assured that their General palliative care $250/day
providers of inpatient
care needs will be fulfilled regardless of setting. Specialised palliative care $350/day
care, home care and day
care services, visit
https://singaporehospice.
org.sg/shc-common-
For more information on IHPCS and other Intermediate and Long-Term Care Services, patients and their caregivers can
referral-form/ or scan
visit the Agency for Integrated Care’s website or approach their regular doctors or medical social workers.
the QR code above
(for healthcare
professionals’ use). 1
With the exception of St Joseph’s Home, which only provides general palliative care.
18 19
THE HOSPICE LINK • JUNE – AUGUST 2020 THE HOSPICE LINK • JUNE – AUGUST 2020ANNOUNCEMENTS
SingHealth
Community Hospitals
Singapore Hospice Council welcomes
SingHealth Community Hospitals (SCH) as
our new member on 1 April 2020.
SCH oversees the management of
Bright Vision Hospital, Sengkang Community
Hospital and the new Outram Community
Hospital, which opened on 18 November, 2019. Download Caregiver
The focus at SCH goes beyond patients’
length of hospital stay, aiming to provide a
Resource Booklets
homely environment in community hospitals Singapore Hospice Council’s booklets,
for patients to receive well-paced, personalised which aim to better support and empower
care. The multidisciplinary team helps caregivers, are now available for download
patients to not only recover from their medical in 4 languages — English, Mandarin, Malay
conditions, but also regain abilities to integrate and Tamil.
into the community. SCH wants to shape the Learn more about Caring for Yourself
way they deliver person-centred care across After a Death, Nutrition in Advanced
healthcare settings, and beyond the hospital to Illnesses and Understanding the Final Hours
the community. at https://singaporehospice.org.sg/caregiver/
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Editor Christina Wee
Associate Editor Anne Loh
Assisi Hospice Angela Yeo
Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Editorial Team
Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore)
Changi General Hospital Rasidah bte Alias
1 Lorong 2 Toa Payoh #07-00
Dover Park Hospice Jenny Goo
HCA Hospice Care Toh Wei Shi
Braddell House
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital Tricia Tan Singapore 319637
Lien Centre for Palliative Care Jessica Goh Siew Hong T: 6538 2231
Metta Hospice Care Sandy Lim E: secretariat@singaporehospice.org.sg
MWS Home Care & Home Hospice Nicole Andrea Tan www.singaporehospice.org.sg
Singapore Cancer Society Kumudha Panneerchelvam
Singapore Hospice Council Sheena Koong
SingHealth Community Hospitals Muhammad Azhar bin
Contents are not to be quoted or reproduced without the prior
Abdul Rahim
written permission of the Singapore Hospice Council.
St Andrew’s Community Hospital Peh Lay Koon
St Joseph’s Home Shereen Ng
St Luke’s Hospital Chua Hwee Leng
Tan Tock Seng Hospital Candice Tan
Tsao Foundation Desiree Lim
Design Christian Subrata
Printer Yung Shung Printrade Pte Ltd
20
THE HOSPICE LINK • JUNE – AUGUST 2020You can also read
